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2010 Domaine du Grapillon d'Or, Gigondas, Rhône Valley

( £18.99 down to £14.24, 14.5%, Waitrose )

This was one of the very best wines at the Waitrose tasting, a very smart southern Rhône red based on Grenache with 20% Syrah for added backbone. It’s a ripe wine, with 14.5% alcohol, but it’s subtle and elegant, too, reflecting the balance of the 2010 vintage. Supple and sweet, with notes of wild herbs, red fruits, medium tannins and a nuanced, finely crafted finish. This outclasses a lot of Châteauneuf-du-Papes. 

BuyDrinking window: 2012-18Similar Wines: £10-£20, 91-95, France, Red, Grenache, Syrah/Shiraz
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